Section directory sign for stores



Jan. 3, 1939. H. G. MARSHALL SECTION DIRECTORY SIGN E OR STORES FiledJuly 6, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet Jan. 3, 1939. H. G. MARSHALL SECTIONDIRECTORY SIGN FOR STORES Filed July 6,' 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ZnVezzor.

Marshal] @y Af Hiornetys.

Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

My invention pertains to directory and advertising signs in stores,particularly grocery and similar stores of the self-service type. Thesedirectory boards generally indicate a section number, have a place for adesignation of the particular goods Vand a holder for an advertisingcard. In view of the fact that there are a number of different ways ormanners in which the directory sign is required to be placed in regardto the particular goods, it is necessary to have a number of diiierentattachments, for instance for securing the board directly to the top ofa series of shelves, supporting this above a table or the like or onglass or similar panels. Hence one feature of my invention relates tothe construction of the sign board and supporting devices for attachingthis to various pieces of store furniture where the, particular goodsare for sale. In this connection affeature of my invention relates toconstructing the sign board with a plurality of vertical slots extendingupwardly yfrom the lower edge whereby a holder socket or the like, thisbeing of a flat type, engages and supports the sign. plate. Acharacteristic of the socket structure is forming this oi two plates, insome cases welded together, and mounted on a supporting stand, thesocket having bolts extending therethrough correspondingto the number ofslots in the sign plate. For instance a pair ci slots in a sign plateare usually satisfactory and the two bolts inthe socket engage in theslots and thus when tightened clamp the front and rear sides of the hatsocket structure to the front and back of the sign plate, hence securingthis firmly to the store furniture and in suitable location to callattention to the various goods on sale.` This arrangement of having thevertical slots on the lower edge of the sign plate allows readilyVadjusting this to have it horizontal and to also facilitate removal oithe plate for changing the advertising ymatter and replacement on thesocket structure of the stand. In another form of my invention I utilizea socket structure formed of a face plate and a rear resilient or springplate, these being adapted for attachment to the sign board by the slotand bolt connection and the rear plate having a curved and resilientclamping engagementv with a glass panel support or other similarstructure.

Another feature of my invention relates to attaching and supporting anarticle on the sign board and having this associated with theadvertising card of the particular article for sale or product. Thus forinstance a sign board may advertise a certain line of canned goods andassociated therewith on one side of the sign board my device holds andretains a sample of one of the cans. A feature oi my invention in thisregard includes an article `supporting plate so shaped at the top andbottom to fit in a short channel structure used to supportthe-advertising card having such as a can attached thereto and thusassoci-l ate the article with the advertising card. Another detailfeature of my invention relates to a stand for supporting theadvertising sign board above for instance a table or the like on whichthe goods for sale areV placed. rIhe stand therefore must have anattachment which does not interfere with placing goods for sale on thetable or the like. Therefore with my invention the stand has anV uprightmember and a right vangular foot member attached to the table top by ascrew and a transverse strap extending over the foot and thus clampingthis rmly to the table top. Such construction gives a rigid support forthe stand and yet does not materially interfere with'placing of goods`on a table or similar structure,

My invention is illustrated in connection with the accompanying drawingsin which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the section directory or signboard with oneof the types of mounts and the bracket plate for supporting an articlefor exhibit;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 in the directionof the arrows; Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 inthe direction of the arrows, showing part of the' socket supportconstruction;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4 4 of Fig. l in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the bottom of the plate showing the verticalslots;

Fig. 6 is a'vertical section on the line tof Fig. 1 in the direction ofthe arrows;

Fig. 7 is a part elevation of Fig. 1 on a larger scale, illustrating thebracket plate with the exhibit;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7 in the directionof the arrows;

Fig. 9 is an elevation showing a stand with the socket clamp at the top;

Fig. l0 is a horizontal section on the line lil-I El of Fig. 9 in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section on the line i i-l l of Fig. 9 in thedirection of the arrows;

Fig. 12 isa rear elevation taken in the direction of the arrow l2 of theFigure i3 showing a modified iorrn` of socket clamp for attaching to aglass partition or the like; and

Fig. 13 is a vertical section on the line l3-l3 of Fig. 12 in thedirection of the arrows.

Referring lirst to the construction of Figs. l and 2, the direction signor signboard is indicated by the numeral l l this beinga metal platehaving a lower edge I2, two vertical edges i3, sloping upper sides I4and flat or horizontal top edge l5. A plurality of vertical channelclips |6 and a plurality of horizontal channel clips I1 provide a meansfor holding a number or little card designated |8, this being slipped infrom the top..

A guide channel structure is formedY of a thin metal strip 2| with upperand lower inturned flanges 22 and 23. This is welded or otherwise;

secured to the metal plate and forms a holder for any cards 24 or 25,these being slipped into the channel from either end. Thesecardsusually. designate the article or produce being sold to which the signis the directory.

An advertising card is held in place by a series of lower upwardly bentguide brackets 3| and 'upper downwardly bent guide bracketsv 32; Avertical stop bracket 33 limits the insertion of the card from one sideof the directory plate and 'when this card is in position it is held bya clamping washer 3,4 attached to the plate by screw and extending overone edge of the advertising card. This is mainly for the purposeofpreventing the card from being accidentally displaced.

In order to support the plate and to hold this in proper position, thatis with the advertising matter horizontal, I provide an attachingassembly designated bythe numeral 40. This employs two or more verticalslots 4| from the lower edge I2 of the directory plate II, these beingpreferably symmetrically arranged as to the edges of the plate. Acombination clamp and socket structure is formed of two` similar plates46. These have contiguousV side portions 41 welded together andvertically outwardly pressed portions 48v forming a vertical recess 49.There is also an upper socket 50 formed by opposite and outwardlypressed portionsl 5|.

These extend froml corner to corner as each plate is made somewhattriangular in shape. It will be seen therefore, that the -two upperportions 5| are offset or spaced apart and through each upper` cornerthere is inserted a bolt 52 having a nut 53 threaded thereon. The bolt,therefore, bridges the space in the socket 50 between the two oisetparts of the plate indicated at 5|. 'Iherefore, the directory plate mayhave the slots 4| each tted over a bolt hence its lower edge thusfitting in the socket between the offset portions 5| and when the nut istightened the plate.-

is held rmly in position. Inthe construction illustrated in Fig. 1, thestand 5 4 consists of a rod and is inserted upwardly in the recess 49and secured by spot welding or. the like. It will, there-- fore, be seenthat the advertising plate may be properly and securely supportediromany suitable type of stand by using a socket type of clampr of thisnature and on account of using the slots 4|, the position of the platemay be adjusted.

and the plate readily attached to the clamp and removed therefrom. Thespot weldingclearly shown in Fig. 1 which secures the standv 54fwhich isillustrated as a rod, in the Vrecess 49, isop,er,a, tive to retain thetwo plates in propercontiguous relationship and it is not` necessarythat these;

plates have their side portions 41 weldedtogether.

Another feature of my inventionand associated. with the advertising card30 consists of an article display device 60, note particularlyFigs. 1and-:7.

This utilizes a bracket plate 6| which -isformed of flat metal andy haslower and upper edges 62 and 63 which are parallel and t in the channelor lug-like guides 3| and 32, these being pressed; outwardly fromfthebody ofthe plateY I I. Ther extending upwardly plate 6| adjacent itsinner edge 64 however, has downwardly and upwardly extending nubs 65 and66. The edge 61 is intended to be substantially in alignment with one ofthe edges |3 of plate and there is anextension plate 60 having the upperand lower edges 69 and 10. A perforation 1| is to accommodate the bolt35.

Where the display device is used, it is preferably secured to the platebefore attaching the advertising card30, the manner of attachment beingtoplace. the plate 6| flat on the plate and then move the plate 6|outwardly until the nubs 65... and 66 engage the upper and lower guidebrackets for the card. The card may then be insertedv and form a coverfor the plate 6|. The bolt and washer 34 and 35 then attach the bracketplate and the card to the plate II. It is to be understood that anysuitable article may be displayed but this is preferably a sample of thearticles advertised on the advertising card 30. In the illustration, itis presumed that this is some kind of canned goods and therefore, a can'I5 is exhibited, this being, however, a dummy and hollow and attachedby bolts 16 and the like to the extension 68 of the bracket plate. Itwill be unlderstood that any suitable manner of attaching cans of otherarticles may be used according to the type of article advertised anddisplayed.

A modification of the type of clamping socket is indicated in Figs. 9and 11, and designated by the numeral 80. In this case, there is a flatback plate 8|. and a front plate 02, this being shaped with the upperhorizontal offset 83 and the central vertical offset 84, thus forminghorizontal clamping socket 85 and the vertical recess 86. Similar boltsbridge the clamping socket between the upper parts ofthe two plates andengage in the slots 4|.

A suitable construction for supporting articles on a table is designatedby the base or stand support designated. by the numeral note Figs. 9 and10. The stand, such as 54, is illustrated as ,beingof a metal bar or rod9| given a twist for purposes of strength and ornamentation. This has aright angular bend 92 at the bottom and a horizontal foot 93 secured bya bolt 94 to a table or the like. A straddling clamp 95 is a metal strapwith an upwardly pressed central portion 96 and two end portions 91secured by screws 98, this straddling the foot 93 and thus firmlyholding the same in place. This construction gives very littleobstruction on the table top so thatarticles of merchandise may beplaced close to the stand. The upper end of the metal rod 9|, it will benoted, is yfitted in the vertical i.. recess 861formed by the offsetportions 84 of the two` plates and these plates are spot welded to therod, therefore it is unnecessary to have the marginal` portions of theseplates Welded together but they are held in the correct position bytheir common attachment to the supporting rod.

In the construction of Figs. 12 and 13, I show a resilient type ofsocket clamp |00. This has a face plate |0I which is flat and preferablysomewhat rectangular having, however, a somewhat ornamental curve |02atthe bottom. A back plate |03 has a vertical horizontal strap |04, anoutwardly bowed section |05, and a pressure end |06. Bythis constructionthe socket clamp may be attached, for instance to a glass platedesignated |01, the clamp fitting over the upper edge of theplate. Bolts|08 connect between the plates at the upper corners and t in thevertical slots of Y plate |I. YIt `will be seen that when the face plate|0| 4andthe back. plate |03 are secured together by the bolts |08 that avertical recess is formed between the lower portions of these plates;and it is into this recess that the glass plate |01 ts.

Referring to the supporting means for the sign plate as shown in detailin Figs. l, 2, 3, 4 and 6 and in Figs. 9 and l1, the two small plateswhich form the horizontal socket are each directly attached to the rodforming the stand by spot welding as indicated in Figs. 1 and 9, the rodbeing fitted in a vertical recess formed by outwardly pressing one orboth of the small plates. Therefore it is unnecessary to have theseplates welded or otherwise secured adjacent their marginal edges as theyare attached suciently securely together by their commo-n attachment tothe stand.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

I claim:

l. In a device as described, the combination of a display plate havingmeans for mounting advertising cards and provided with a plurality ofslots extending upwardly from its lower edge, a clamping socket havingtwo small plates attached face to face with offsets adjacent their upperedges providing a longitudinal socket, bolts extending through saidplates and across the said socket and engaging in the slots of thedisplay plate, and means to mount the clamping socket on a supportingstructure.

2. In a device as described and claimed in claimy l, the means to mountthe clamping socket com# prising a vertical recess formed between thetwo plates and extending upwardly, said plates each having an outwardlypressed portion toform the recess, and a stand having an upper partfitted in the said recess and secured to the said plates.

3. In a device as described, the combination of a display plate havingmeans to support an advertising sign and having a horizontal lower edgewith a plurality of slots extending vertically upwardly from such loweredge, a clamping socket consisting of two small iiat plates attachedtogether face to face and each having an offset adjacent its upper edgethereby forming a longitudinal socket between the two spaced plates, aplurality of bolts extending through both of the plates at the offsetportion and across the said socket, each bolt being tted in a slot onthe display plate, the horizontal lower edge of the display plate beingadapted to rest on a contiguous portion of the two plates below thelongitudinal socket, and means for mounting the clamping socket on asupporting structure.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, the means for mounting the clampingsocket comprising a stand having a vertical rod, the two small plateshaving each a vertical offset forming a vertical recess, the upper endof the rod being tted in the recess and secured to at least one of thesmall plates and means for attaching the vertical rod to a supportingstructure.

5. In a device as described, the combination of a display plate havingmeans for mounting an advertising card and having a plurality of slotsextending upwardly from its lower edge, a clamping socket structureconsisting of two small plates, each having a flat surface, the flatsurfaces being in contact and secured together, at

least one of the plates having an offset adjacent its upper edge andthereby forming with the other plate a longitudinal socket, boltsextending through the two plates and across the socket and tted in thevertical slots, the said socket structure having a vertical recess withat least one of the plates having a vertical oiset and thereby formingwith the other plate a vertical recess and a rod-like device having itsupper end tted in the said recess and secured to at least one of theplates.

6. In a device as described, a clamping socket structure consisting oftwo small plates, each having contiguous flat surfaces, said flatsurfaces being secured together, at least one of the plates having anoutwardly pressed offset adjacentV its upper edge and thereby formingwith the other plate a longitudinal socket between the spaced portionsadjacent the top of the two plates, a plurality of bolts extendingthrough the plates and across the said space adapted to engage a platefor displaying cards, at least one of the plates having a verticaloffset portion and forming with the other plate a vertical recessextending upwardly from the lower edge of the two plates, a rod havingits upper end fitted in the said recess and secured to at least one ofthe plates.

7. In a device as described, a display plate having a plurality ofoutwardly bent guide brackets, there being a lower and an upper series,each series being in alignment and each forming with the plate a shortlongitudinal guide means, whereby a card may be inserted in the saidguide means from one edge of the plate and be retained in position bythe guide brackets, the display plate having a plurality of verticalslots extending upwardly from its lower edge and adapted to receive apart of a clamping structure, a bracket plate having horizontal upperand lower edges, spaced apart the distance of two aligned upper andlower guide brackets, the bracket plate having upwardly and downwardlyextending nubs from the upper and lower edges, respectively, adapted toengage the guide brackets, the bracket plate extending laterally fromthe display plate and having means for supporting an article fordisplay.

8. In a device as described, a display plate having means for mountingan advertising card and provided with a plurality of slots extendingupwardly from its lower edge, a clamping structure including two smallindividual separate plates, said plates having contiguous surfaces incontact and being provided with a vertical recess between said plates, asupporting structure engaged in said recess and thus forming a means forsupport of the two plates, the plates being shaped adjacent their upperedge to form a horizontal socket, the lower edge of the display platebeing tted in the said socket and bolts extending between the upperportion of the two plates across the socket and each bolt fitted in aslot of the display plate and thereby attaching the display plate to theclamping structure.

9. In a device as described and claimed in claim 8, the supportingstructure engaging in the said recess being secured to the two plates bywelding and thereby forming a means for securing the plates with thecontiguous surfaces in contact.

HUGH G. MARSHALL.

